Niger state government has on Friday disclosed that it is winning the fight against malaria after the distribution of free long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs) and provision of free malaria test kits at some Health facilities”.
Speaking during a Media meeting on the Global Fund Malaria Community-Led Monitoring Project organized by the Association of Civil Society on Malaria Control, immunization and Nutrition (ACOMIN), the Director, Public Health, Niger State Ministry of Health, Dr. Ibrahim Idris said the prevalent rate has reduced in the state.
According to him “considering our efforts, the prevalent rate has reduced to as low as 28 percent in the last indicator survey from the previous rate of over 30 percent.
“I can say with all fervency that we are winning the fight against malaria in Niger state with the malaria review at national level, we have continuously top the north central zone.
“The initiatives that have been deployed to fight malaria in the state include the provision of free long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs), provision of free malaria test kits and medicines at some Health facilities”.
The state chairman, ACOMIN, Mr Olasunkanmi Kalejaiye said there is the need for Community Led Monitoring (CLM) to be adapted into other sectors outside health and for other donors to invest.
According to him “as part of our efforts to see that malaria is eliminated, we want the media to help us advocate to Governments at all levels to increase their budgetary allocations to malaria in particular and health in general.
“All government ministries and agencies should include and scale-up community-centric initiatives in their programs. And help to educate the general public on the need to imbibe malaria prevention practices as a lifestyle”
It should be noted that as part of a national effort to address the challenges of malaria in Nigeria Ackerman has been engaged by Catholic relief services under the ongoing global fund malaria grant to continue implementing the civil society component having successfully done this from 2019 to 2020 which is presently being implemented in 13 supported States including niger States and in Niger state the project covers eight local government areas which include Chanchaga, Bida, Lavun, Gbako, Mokwa, Kontagora, Suleja and Paikoro.
Why disclosing some of the challenges faced, he said there has been increased in difficulty in accessing hard-to-reach communities due to insecurity ravaging parts of the State, adding that, drug resistance by the malaria parasite is another challenge.